President of Brazil wraps up visit to Syria: cooperation agreements signed
Syria-Brazil, Politics, 12/5/2003

BrazilÕs President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his spouse concluded a two-day official visit to Syria on Thursday.

The joint statement issued at the end of Da Silva's visit stressed that the visit is a response to an invitation extended by President Bashar al-Assad and his spouse. This visit is considered to be the first of a Brazilian President to the region since the last and special scientific visit of Emperor Pedro the Second in 1867.

Given the priority that the Brazilian diplomacy lends to relations with the Arab states, the president of Brazil is conducting a visit to five Arab states starting with Syria, a country with which Brazil historically keeps close ties because of a large and distinct Syrian community amounting to millions, which contributed to the economic, social, and cultural development of Brazil.

The two presidents emphasized at the end of their meetings their agreement concerning their viewpoints on the main international political topics. They also emphasized their respect for the sovereignty of countries and the priority of international law and the main role of the United Nations in achieving international peace and cooperation.

The two presidents stressed the necessity for expediting the achievement of a comprehensive, just and permanent peace in the Middle East, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the "land for peace" principle, and the Arab peace initiative.

The Brazilian side expressed its belief in the pivotal role of Syria in achieving peace and stability in the region. The two presidents reviewed the current role of the United Nations and stressed the necessity to support it and reform its mechanisms, including the expansion of Security Council membership, with a number of countries of the South to become Permanent Members.

As for the deteriorating situation in Iraq, the two presidents emphasized the necessity of expediting the transfer of authority to the Iraqi people, putting an end to occupation, and giving a primary role to the United Nations to enable the Iraqi people to exercise their sovereignty, choose their government and guarantee the territorial integrity of Iraq.

During the visit, the following agreements were signed:
-Executive Program of Cultural Cooperation for the years 2004-2005-2006.
-Sport Cooperation Agreement
-Agreement on Cooperation in the field of tourism
-Agreement on technical cooperation and sanitary and phytosanitary producers

The two presidents stressed that a summit meeting between the leaders of South America Countries and the Arab states in the year 2004 will provide an opportunity for rapprochement between those two important regions of the world in a way that enhances coordination of their positions in the regional and international fora in the social, economic and political fields.

They emphasized that economic and social development should have the priority in the efforts of governments and international organizations since development is closely related to issues of nutrition and social security and creating sufficient job opportunities brings income increase and justice to all.

The two presidents emphasized also that international cooperation and developing international partnerships with a view to putting a limit to poverty impact and social disparities in the world is a matter of utmost importance for enabling the governments to achieve those goals. In this context, the two presidents emphasized the necessity to work for expanding areas of that cooperation.

They also agreed to exchange experiences between Brazil and Syria on social welfare and combating poverty and diseases. In this context, they stressed the importance of international efforts to combat hunger wherever it exists.

The two presidents agreed that the current level of trade doesn't reflect the potentials of both countries and that the Syrian and Brazilian governments should exert every possible effort to improve it; hence the two presidents emphasized in the talks that it is necessary to develop and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. In this respect they expressed their conviction that the agreements that were signed during this visit in areas of cultural, economic, technical, educational and tourist cooperation and the establishment of a joint committee for the two countries and business council constitute a ground for improving relations between the two countries.

The two presidents considered that the meeting of the Syrian and Brazilian businessmen which took place in Damascus, will open doors for improving bilateral trade, joint projects and mutual investments.

The President extended an invitation to President Bashar al-Assad and his Spouse to visit Brazil. The invitation was accepted and will be fixed via diplomatic channels.

Previous Stories:
  Mrs. al-Assad and Mrs. Da Silva meet on immigrants issues   (12/4/2003)
  Al-Assad, da Silva intent on increased cooperation in all areas   (12/4/2003)
  Brazil President arrives in Damascus today   (12/3/2003)

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